Coin-operated lock



(No Model.)

B. DODGE. GOIN OPERATED LOCK.

No. 469,294: Patented Peb. 23, 1892.. i

ms mmms Perma co., Waremme., wAsmNaron, o4 c.

y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN S. DODGE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

COlN-OPERATED LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 469,294, dated February 23, 1892.

Application led November 9, 1891. Serial No. 411,277. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN S. DODGE, of Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota. have invented certain Improvements in Coin Operated Locks, of which the following is a specilioation.

My invention relates to a lock for use on doors of apartments or closets for entrance to which an admission fee is charged; and its object is to provide a mechanical device of extremely simple construction adapted for such use.

To this end myinvention consists in a lock, or, more properly, a spring-latch, comprising, in combination with the containing boX or case, a latch-bar arranged therein and means for normally holding the same outward, and a pull-bar whereto the knob on the outside of the lock is attached, said parts being connected by longitudinal tenons, slots provided therein to receive the coin, and means whereby on snapping back the latch as the door is closed the coin is discharged from between said bars or plates, and in details of construction and combinations, all as hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional view showing alock embodying my invention, secured upon a section of the door. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of my lock on the line oc :o of Fig. 1, the longitudinally-movable bars or plates thereof being shown in full lines. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are horizontal sections on the line y y of Fig. 1, showing the dierent posi tions of the bars 5 and Fig. 6 shows said bars removed from the lock and opened away from each other, so as to show more clearly the longitudinal lugs or tenons thereon.

As shown in the drawings, the lock or latch is inclosed in the metal box or case having `the side walls 2, the top 3 provided with the coin slot or opening 4, the face and back plates 5 and 6 and the hinged bottom 7 having the hasp S, adapted to be secured on the staple 9 by a small lock-as for instance, a padlock. The case is made the width of a coin, so that the coin may fall flat on the bottom and not clog the space beneath the sliding bars. These bars are two in numbernamely, the latch bar or plate 10, having the latch or bolt 11, arranged to engage the latch plate or opening 11 in the door-frame, and the bar 12, provided with the shank 13 and knob 14, by means of which the bar may be drawn back. The block 15 is arranged above the sliding bars, and is provided with the vertical slot 16, down through which the coin falls into the slot provided between the bars 10 and 12, which bars are supported and held between the lower end ot the block 15 and the lugs or brackets 17 and 1S, provided beneath the bars. The bars are held against lateral play by the walls 5 and (i of the lock. On the barrlO I provide the lugs 19 and 20, and leaving a space of nearly twice the width of a coin between the same. On the other bar I provide the projections 21 and 22, which embrace those of the other bar, a space being left between these of just a little over the width of a coin. The lugs 19 and 2l are about the same length, and when the lock is in its normal position these parts and the rear ends of the bars 10 and 12 stand in line. Thus a slot the width of a coin is left between the bars. This slot and that in the top of the lock-case are usually of a size to accommodate eithera penny, a nickel, ora dime. On the lower edge of the bar 101 provide the small projecting lug 24, preferably cast in the same piece therewith and extending across this slot, so that when the coin is first dropped therein it is held between the bars.. Now, when the handle is drawn out from the Fig. 4. and Fig. 1 position into the position shown in Fig. 5, the coin is caught between the end of the tenon 19 on the bar 10 and the ends of those numbered 22 on. the other bar 12, thus locking the bars together, so that the bar 10 is pulled back'with the bar 12, thus withdrawing the latch-bolt 11 and permitting the door to be opened. Vhen the knob 14 is free, the bars 10 and 12 are simultaneously thrown back by the springs 25` and 26, fastened in the frame of the lock and engaging the bars 10 and 12, respectively, the recesses being provided therein for the lower ends of the springs. These springs being placed above the bars, the entire space beneath them is left free as areceptacle for the coins. Then the door is swung back into place, the

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bolt 11, striking on the plate 12, is momentarily thrown back, and this bar, moving back independent of the bar l2, carries the lug 24 from beneath the coin in the slot, which thereupon drops into the receptacle beneath, after which the latchbar is immediately thrown ont again by the spring 25, and the lug 24 is then in position to hold the next coin. It is to allow this independent movement of the bar 10 that-the lug 2O is outback beyond the ends of the lugs 21 and 22, and it will be seen that, if desired, the lug 2O may be dispensed with, though its use is preferable, as it acts as a guide forthe forward end of the bar 12. No coin being in the slot, the bar 12 may be pulled back without operating the latch-bar 10.

My lock is secured directly on the outside of the door by screws 27 passing through the same. The lock or latch may be operated from within the door by the knob 2S, having the shank 29, extending through a longitudinal slot in the door and the back wall 6 ot the lock and fastened in the bar 10.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, in a coin-operated lock, of the case thereof, with the independentlyslidable bars having a slot arranged between them and tenoning-lugs forming the ends of the said slot between the same, a latch-bolt arranged in connection with one of said bars and a knob in connection with the other, and a lug provided on the lower edge of the latchbar to hold a coin in said slot to lock said bars together, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in acoin-operated lock, with the case thereof and guides, of bars 10 and 12 to move in said guides, said bar 10 provided with a bolt 11 and the bar 12 with coin from the lower part thereof, and springs 25 and 26 for normally holding said bars 10 and 12 forward, respectively, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a coin-operated lock,

of the lock-case provided with the hinged bottom 7 to be secured by an independent lock, the top of the case provided with the slot 4, the block 15, having the slot 16 registering therewith, bars 10 and 12, arranged-beneath said block, the brackets or lugs 17 and 1S for supporting the same, the springs 25 and 2G for said bars, respectively, the latchbolt 11 on the bar 10, the knob 14 on the other bar, the vertical slot between the said bars normally `registerin g with the slots 4 and 16, the overlapping lugs 19, 21, and 22 of said bars, the projection 24 on the bar 10 normally closing the bottom of the slot between said bars, and a knob or handle 28, by means of which said bar 10 may be operated independently of said bar 12,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand this 14th day of October, 1891.

BENJAMIN s. Dones.

In presence of- (i. G. HAWLEY, BEssrE Boo'rH. 

